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Howdy folks! We've got another article. Over the break, we were talking with a bunch of folks who want to use ChatGPT in their applications. We love AI but recognize limitations and never accept it as a crutch.
We figure that we will do a series of articles on AI in the medical field starting with the application. From here, we'll move to AI in the acceptance process and how ADCOMS may use AI in their process. From there, we'll go to AI in medical school education, clinicals, and broader medical careers. No fancy emojis for this one 🙂
AI and medical school applications - great potential but prudence necessary
AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are becoming standard companions in the medical school application process. They’re powerful, convenient, and undeniably useful. But as they become more common, a question starts to loom: How do you make sure your application still feels human? How do you keep your unique voice intact when AI tools are helping so many applicants polish their essays to a mirror shine?
The reality is that AI can be a fantastic tool for refining your writing, organizing your thoughts, and even overcoming writer’s block. But over-reliance on it comes with risks—and those risks don’t stop once you hit submit. They follow you right into the interview room.
Let’s start with the biggest challenge: the authenticity gap. Medical school interviews are all about connection and consistency. If your essays are eloquent, deeply reflective, and polished to perfection, but your interview responses feel hesitant, disconnected, or like they’re coming from an entirely different person, that’s a red flag for admissions committees. They might start asking themselves, Did this applicant actually write their own essays? Are they capable of the same reflection and clarity they showed in their application?
It’s not just about sounding smart or put-together—it’s about sounding like you. AI can smooth out your sentences, but it can’t replicate the specific emotional weight of your experiences or the subtle nuances of your personality. If your written voice and your spoken voice don’t align, it’s going to show.
Oh great, another ChatGPT personal statement....snore
Another issue to consider is what we like to call the sameness trap or we call it "the snore factor". Think about it: thousands of applicants are using the same handful of AI tools. These tools are smart, but they’re not endlessly creative. They tend to suggest similar phrases, structures, and polished-but-generic styles. Admissions committees read thousands of essays every cycle, and patterns start to emerge. If your essays sound like everyone else’s, even if they’re technically flawless, they’re going to blur into the background.
Here’s the thing—your story is your greatest asset. Your quirks, your raw honesty, your unique perspective—those are the things that set you apart in a stack of applications. If AI overshadows those qualities, you’re missing the point of what a personal statement is supposed to do.
At the heart of this conversation is the difference between using AI as a tool versus a crutch. AI tools can absolutely make your writing clearer, tighter, and more engaging. They can suggest better ways to frame your experiences and help you catch errors you might have missed. But they can’t feel what you felt in that moment that changed your perspective on medicine. They can’t articulate the fire that drives you to pursue this path.
Admissions committees aren’t just assessing your ability to write polished prose—they’re trying to understand you. Who are you beyond your scores and accolades? How do you handle challenges? What unique perspective do you bring to the table? Those are questions only you can answer.
We love AI!
At Asclepius Advising LLC, we’ve worked with applicants who use(and are developing) AI tools, and we fully support thoughtful engagement with this technology. Our advisors aren’t just familiar with AI—we’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when used responsibly. Our advisors have directly worked on AI tools themselves- coding, structuring, and training. Likewise, we know exactly where it is going for the education experience and practice as a physician. We also know how easy it is to lean too heavily on these tools and erase the human touch that makes an application memorable.
Every piece of application material we edit is reviewed by an actual person—someone who understands not just how to write well, but how to preserve your voice. We believe AI is an incredible tool, but it’s just that: a tool. It’s not a replacement for self-reflection, emotional vulnerability, or human storytelling.
So what’s the takeaway here? It’s simple: Embrace AI.
Learn how to use it thoughtfully and strategically. But don’t let it replace you. Write your first drafts yourself, even if they’re messy. Use AI to refine your words, not to tell your story for you. And when you read your final drafts, ask yourself: Does this still sound like me?
Your voice is your superpower in this process - we know it's a little cheesy but we're being serious. AI can make your writing cleaner, but only you can make it meaningful. In a world where AI-generated content is becoming the norm, your humanity—your authentic, messy, deeply personal voice—is your competitive edge.
At the end of the day, medical schools aren’t looking for essays written by ChatGPT or Claude. They’re looking for you. So let AI be your assistant, not your author. Trust your story, trust your voice, and trust that it’s enough.
If you’re curious about how to strike that balance, we’re here to help. At Asclepius, we’re committed to guiding applicants through this evolving landscape with transparency, expertise, and a deep respect for what makes each applicant unique.
We figure that we will do a series of articles on AI in the medical field starting with the application. From here, we'll move to AI in the acceptance process and how ADCOMS may use AI in their process. From there, we'll go to AI in medical school education, clinicals, and broader medical careers. No fancy emojis for this one 🙂
AI and medical school applications - great potential but prudence necessary
AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are becoming standard companions in the medical school application process. They’re powerful, convenient, and undeniably useful. But as they become more common, a question starts to loom: How do you make sure your application still feels human? How do you keep your unique voice intact when AI tools are helping so many applicants polish their essays to a mirror shine?
The reality is that AI can be a fantastic tool for refining your writing, organizing your thoughts, and even overcoming writer’s block. But over-reliance on it comes with risks—and those risks don’t stop once you hit submit. They follow you right into the interview room.
Let’s start with the biggest challenge: the authenticity gap. Medical school interviews are all about connection and consistency. If your essays are eloquent, deeply reflective, and polished to perfection, but your interview responses feel hesitant, disconnected, or like they’re coming from an entirely different person, that’s a red flag for admissions committees. They might start asking themselves, Did this applicant actually write their own essays? Are they capable of the same reflection and clarity they showed in their application?
It’s not just about sounding smart or put-together—it’s about sounding like you. AI can smooth out your sentences, but it can’t replicate the specific emotional weight of your experiences or the subtle nuances of your personality. If your written voice and your spoken voice don’t align, it’s going to show.
Oh great, another ChatGPT personal statement....snore
Another issue to consider is what we like to call the sameness trap or we call it "the snore factor". Think about it: thousands of applicants are using the same handful of AI tools. These tools are smart, but they’re not endlessly creative. They tend to suggest similar phrases, structures, and polished-but-generic styles. Admissions committees read thousands of essays every cycle, and patterns start to emerge. If your essays sound like everyone else’s, even if they’re technically flawless, they’re going to blur into the background.
Here’s the thing—your story is your greatest asset. Your quirks, your raw honesty, your unique perspective—those are the things that set you apart in a stack of applications. If AI overshadows those qualities, you’re missing the point of what a personal statement is supposed to do.
At the heart of this conversation is the difference between using AI as a tool versus a crutch. AI tools can absolutely make your writing clearer, tighter, and more engaging. They can suggest better ways to frame your experiences and help you catch errors you might have missed. But they can’t feel what you felt in that moment that changed your perspective on medicine. They can’t articulate the fire that drives you to pursue this path.
Admissions committees aren’t just assessing your ability to write polished prose—they’re trying to understand you. Who are you beyond your scores and accolades? How do you handle challenges? What unique perspective do you bring to the table? Those are questions only you can answer.
We love AI!
At Asclepius Advising LLC, we’ve worked with applicants who use(and are developing) AI tools, and we fully support thoughtful engagement with this technology. Our advisors aren’t just familiar with AI—we’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when used responsibly. Our advisors have directly worked on AI tools themselves- coding, structuring, and training. Likewise, we know exactly where it is going for the education experience and practice as a physician. We also know how easy it is to lean too heavily on these tools and erase the human touch that makes an application memorable.
Every piece of application material we edit is reviewed by an actual person—someone who understands not just how to write well, but how to preserve your voice. We believe AI is an incredible tool, but it’s just that: a tool. It’s not a replacement for self-reflection, emotional vulnerability, or human storytelling.
So what’s the takeaway here? It’s simple: Embrace AI.
Learn how to use it thoughtfully and strategically. But don’t let it replace you. Write your first drafts yourself, even if they’re messy. Use AI to refine your words, not to tell your story for you. And when you read your final drafts, ask yourself: Does this still sound like me?
Your voice is your superpower in this process - we know it's a little cheesy but we're being serious. AI can make your writing cleaner, but only you can make it meaningful. In a world where AI-generated content is becoming the norm, your humanity—your authentic, messy, deeply personal voice—is your competitive edge.
At the end of the day, medical schools aren’t looking for essays written by ChatGPT or Claude. They’re looking for you. So let AI be your assistant, not your author. Trust your story, trust your voice, and trust that it’s enough.
If you’re curious about how to strike that balance, we’re here to help. At Asclepius, we’re committed to guiding applicants through this evolving landscape with transparency, expertise, and a deep respect for what makes each applicant unique.
